Rookie MIG/weldment questions pls?

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Great site,help ! Thanks !  A few rookie questions ,  1 - Where should wire be in relation to pool,at very leading edge ? Heard "never leave the pool",does this mean not to pass wet pool,then come back in( thinkin of  "mig like tig")? I know this 2nd part of question prolly not an issue if following standard mig practice and just droppin a straight bead .  2-When does does it become necessary to make multiple bead welds ? Would it be when exceeding capabilities of machine ? For instance my ol school Millermatic 200,rated at 200amps,SO ,If I'm gonna weld 1/4" or more, does this call for multiple passes ?  3-if welding ,say 3/8" plate , and assuming multiple welds are needed,and say there is a V-groove , with 1/8" root face , do I set up machine for 1/8' thickness,run root pass , then , re-adjust machine accordingly higher as I progress up the thickness of the plate , or just set at high , and run multiple beads at same setting ?  4-Should welds be ground (grind down)between passes ? If so , how much , till consistant thickness ?  5- FINALLY , when is it appropriate to use , "whip, weave,stitch type patterns"?Any and all input appreciated , Thanks in advance ! Tony
Reply:Good questions. It all depends .... too many varibles too answer any one question.  Through more experience you will be able to answer these on your own .  Id start with a good book and do your basic 3 joints. Fillet, lap, and butt joints on mild steel.... maybe with 1/8'' post up pics and explain your parameters you used and torch movement  and we could give ya some sound advice along the way. weld it like you own it
Reply:go to millers site and buy their "Student pack" best buy you will ever make for weldingsome good books and stuff25 bux  cheap enoughidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Thanks Prop Dr. ! Just did it . Looked thru Millers free pdf- Guidlines for GMAW , gave alot of info UP TO the actual process , no info there ! Also have a 2" thick book at home on Welding Technology , again , alot of good info,more scientific and such , not much on laying the bead ! Wasn't aware of the Student pak . Thanks for advice !
Reply:Yep.. I bought that student pack about 10 years ago. Good stuff indeed.  The weld caculators I still use.It had packets/books about intergrated circuits , metalurgy (sp) and other usefull subjects involved in welding.It all comes delivered to your house in a really cool miller flip top box.  best however much $ it was then, that I ever spent . weld it like you own it
Reply:Cool ! Lady said it ships right away and fast ! Cant wait !